Article by Cheryl Ruybal
Adams State University Lifeways of the San Luis Valley Lecture will feature Curandismo: Our Healing Hands, Our Healing Lands by Teresa Vigil at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in McDaniel Hall room 101. The event is free and open to the public.
Teresa de Jesus Belinda Vigil was born to Jose Encarnacion Gallardo and Manuelita Gallegos, whose ancestors resided in the San Luis Valley for multiple generations. She and her husband, Victor Vigil, have 7 children, 14 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.
Vigil is a rural herbal practitioner who is familiar with natural healing methods that are traditional to the upper Rio Grande bioregion. Vigil has, for the past 32 years, expanded her knowledge of traditional medicinal herbs and natural remedies common to northern New Mexico and southern Colorado with the understanding of the importance of natural remedies to Hispano community. Taking classes at Regis University for a year, including course work in herbology, Vigil’s cultural perspective and life-long medical experiences have made her a greatly sought-after presenter. She is profiled in Delmar’s Integrative Herb Guide for Nurses and Fiesta’s Cultural Awareness of Herbal Use. She has also contributed recipes to Cocina de la Familia.
The lecture is a component of the ASU course, Lifeways of the San Luis Valley, which celebrates the rich history and diversity of the San Luis Valley. The course and lecture series are made possible through grants from the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and Mr. Kenzo Kawanabe of the Boettcher Foundation.
Parking is located east of McDaniel Hall. Adams State parking lots do not require permits after 5 p.m.
